Waltzlmj Jiisfinct in Ostriches. 173 



running in a straightforward course, but generally darts for- 

 ward, twisting and turning in a very quick, irregular fashion; 

 i£ the alarm continues he then settles down into rapid flight, 

 which is somewhat sinuous in character. Evidently some 

 significance is to be attached to these primary characteristic 

 movements. It is manifest to anyone who has watched 

 Ostriches that their first frightened dodgings are just such 

 movements as would render ineffectual the precise springing 

 actions of Carnivora like the lion. The Ostrich jerks so 

 quickly from side to side that no beast of prey would be 

 likely to have time to set himself for a determined spring in 

 one direction ere tiie bird had changed its course. As 

 regards their power of doubling, I have observed an Ostrich 

 pursuing a dog at full speed suddenly stop, turn round as if 

 pivoted, and then flee in a directly opposite direction — a 

 performance which probably no other animal could achieve. 



May we not with good reason then interpret the waltzing 

 movements of the Ostrich as of utility in perfecting the bird 

 in the art of suddenly twisting and turning when alarmed, 

 these being the movements which are most likely to assist it 

 in eluding its natural enemies, the larger Carnivora? In- 

 dulged in instinctively as play while young and even when 

 adult, the performance gives the bird expertness in the rapid 

 jerking movements which are those first followed on alarm. 

 They are complex movements for such a large bird, and 

 when carried out with rapidity call for great co-ordination of 

 the legs, body, wings, neck and head. 



Probably some such preparatory form of play will be found 

 in other birds which depend for escape from their enemies 

 largely upon dodging movements. Professor C. B. Daven- 

 port, of the Carnegie Station for Experimental Evolution, 

 Cold Spring Harbour, informs me that he has observed 

 similar waltzing movements in a very rudimentary stage in 

 the chicks of the barn-door fowl. Some ducklings under my 

 own care certainly showed rapid jerking movements when 

 only a week or two old. In an exuberance of spirits they 

 would dart forward and suddenly turn and reverse two or 

 three times in a most comical manner, one individual after 



